Liturgy for Advent Services

The liturgy for the four Sundays in Advent will be drawn from Church of England’s Common Worship: Times and Seasons, Church House Publishing, UK.

Christmas Flower Dedications

If you would like to contribute to Christmas Flowers for decorating the Sanctuary, please fill out a small red form available at the ushers’ table and put it in the collection plate or leave it under the office door. Checks should be made out to the church with Christmas Flowers in the memo line. You can also email Laura Brock with your dedication. Dedications must be received no later than 9:00am Monday December 16 to ensure they will be included in the holiday publications. Contributions should be made as soon as possible so that flowers can be ordered.

We are a family of immigrants; we are all one in the eyes of God

At Good Shepherd we are so enriched by the life stories we all bring to our faith community. In December, as we prepare to recount the story of Mary and Joseph’s journey from their home to strange lands, we will make visible the stories of the members of our community who left the homes of their birth to come to the United States. On December 1st we will share a video interview of six of our friends who were born in Cuba, Nigeria, Palestine, England and India. We hope you can join us to hear their stories!                                                              For the month of December, a new bulletin board in the parish hall will feature a world map with photos and a bit of information about parishioners who are immigrants. If you are an immigrant, we’d love to include you in this display. Please send a photo to Barb Magee or reach out to her to ask questions or to have your picture taken. The goal is to have it complete by Immigrant Sunday December 1.

I was cold and you clothed me

On Sundays December 1 and 8, we will be gathering gently-used winter children's and men's clothing for the Church of San Lucas, Chelsea, MA. This is a tangible gesture of our solidarity while many struggle with fear of anti-immigrant violence and rhetoric. Winter coats, hats, mittens and scarfs for children and adults are needed.

The Daily Office

If you are interested in praying the Daily Office, here's the audio link. Another resource for reading the office on your own can be found here.

Our choir rehearses Wednesday evenings at 7:15 pm.

I look forward with great anticipation to enriching congregational worship with music from our choir, as well as other voices and instrumentalists within our ranks! A present opportunity is upon us. The first Sunday of the month (until further notice) is Mission Service. The choir will be prepared to present a choral anthem, but I would like to encourage those soloists, guitarists, clarinetists, trios and more to also share their talents! Before we know it, the holidays will be upon us. Have you ever had the desire to sing with the choir but can’t commit to the whole church year? Well, you’re in luck! Join the Christmas Choir! Only four Wednesday rehearsals: November 27, December 4, 11 and 18, ages 14 and above. Please contact me with your particular talent and abilities for future services.

Christ’s love,

Deborah Colageo

classicaldeb@gmail.com

Collecting gently used winter clothing for families in need

A few weeks ago, Barbara Magee brought to our attention at both services an article from The Boston Globe which described the fear experienced by parishioners of the Church of San Lucas, Chelsea, following the murderous attacks in El Paso and Gilroy, CA against immigrants as well as the increase in ICE raids. Barbara had prepared a beautiful banner for the Church of San Lucas and invited us all to add messages of caring. In response, a resolution also was passed at the following vestry meeting to declare the Church of the Good Shepherd a “safe haven,” a welcoming place for persons vilified because of their immigration status, the color of their skin, their gender, their national origin, their religion, their age, their disability, their language or whom they love. In that spirit, contact was made with Father Edgar Gutierrez-Duerte, vicar of the Church of San Lucas, to see how we might assist his parishioners. He noted that they will be in need of men’s and children’s winter clothing. We will be holding a men’s and children’s gently used clothing collection for them the first two Sundays in December. Early notice is being given in case you are sorting last year’s clothing as the season changes. Although the collection will take place formally the first two Sundays in December, if you are anxious to get rid of the clothing before then, please contact Carolyn Gutierrez to arrange for earlier collection.

Get ready to start cooking and crooning, it is time Chili-oke chili & karaoke!

Saturday, October 19th, beginning at 6:30 PM in the Parish Hall. This is a great opportunity to break out your secret recipe for homemade chili to share. Some shenanigans are sure to ensue at this rockin’ event, and light hearted awards may be in the offing! Of course, for those who do not want to cook, there will be lots of food to enjoy as well as non-alcoholic beverages as you cast your vote for your favorite chili. We will also have beer and wine to purchase To add to the fun, we’ll have a karaoke machine and DJ for those who wish to sing for their supper...Who knows, there may be an American Idol talent scout undercover, looking for the next contestant. Free-will donations will be happily accepted to defray the cost of the event. Please contact Jason Davis for more information on bringing chili or to volunteer with some much needed help.

Turning a sad, untimely death into good for the world

Donna Heaney is offering an opportunity to do away with many single use plastic bags for free! Here is her powerful story: “When my son Tom suddenly died from a heart attack while walking his sister’s dogs, he was living with my daughter Sharon and her husband Stephen in Florida. . Sharon had a hard time coping with her grief and started sewing shirt shaped coasters for people to take from his Memorial Service as a way of healing, which blossomed into the lunch and snack bags of today. They help eliminate the use of plastic bags as they can be used over and over. Just wipe the waterproof liner out or wash in machine but don’t put them in dryer (apparently it gets ugly). They are free, she doesn’t charge for them! Some people do send her lengths of 100% cotton fabric sometimes in gratitude, which enable her to keep making them. It’s her form of therapy and turning a sad, untimely death into good for the world. If you would like some you can see Donna after the 10 am service, she often has them with her in various fabrics.